My little buddy, Chico, is 5 today!

I shop a lot at Chico’s, but I didn’t name my dog after my favorite clothing store! Their sizing, however, is genius! I wear size 1 jeans! … but I digress….

I have been a Pitbull fan for years and considered naming him Pitbull, but it just wasn’t an appropriate name for an adorable Mini Schnauzer.

Pitbull (before he became Mr. Worldwide) used to refer to himself as “Dat lil CHICO, Pitbull!”

Dat Li’l Chico Pitbull performing at 6 Flags in Springfield, MA. He was just Mr 305 back then, and had yet blown up to his current Mr. Worldwide status!

My daughter suggested Chico for my puppy’s name and it fit!

I try to make the point in my blogs – often – that more moving allows for ingesting enough calories to ensure excellent nutrition, satisfaction, and a few sugary/fatty treats!

Studies show that a gym membership may not increase physical activity.

It’s not uncommon for people to workout at the gym and then increase their sedentary behavior because they already “worked out today.”

That would be me.

Studies show that 90% of treadmills in the home are still in use five years after purchase.

They’re in use as a clothes rack!

That would be mine.

I don’t know if there are any formal studies looking at how dogs change a sedentary lifestyle, but if my experience is typical then it’s a forgone conclusion.

Dog(s) = lots of physical activity

I don’t have a fenced-in yard. Chico likes to run and play. To keep Chico safe I have to run and play with him.

Weather is no excuse! Chico needs to go out to run and play (and do other things) no matter what the weather happens to be!

Running and playing with Chico makes it much easier to balance calories in and out. It takes less attention.

He likes variety in his walks!

The more variety the better!

For the most part the balance happens very naturally as long as I pay attention to Chico’s “monkey eyes,” and I continue to pay attention to my satiety and to mindless eating behaviors!

The monkey eyes and he won’t stop staring until he gets the walk or playtime he wants!

Monkey eyes are when he comes up to me and stares hard and won’t let up at me to let me know he wants to go outside to walk and play. If I try to ignore the monkey eyes he adds trembling to emphasize the urgency!

Today is dedicated to celebrating Chico’s birthday!

Still a puppy! 5-year-old Chico begins his birthday by stealing my brand new flipflop!

Fun-loving Chico isn’t going to “drop” the shoe. He’s going to get me up and running around the house after him as he romps with my flipflop! There will be a slight “Chico was here,” message when the game is over!

I will spend the day doing all the things he loves.

Chico’s birthday won’t be complete without a ride in the kayak! This dog provides me with complete workout – aerobic/resistance/stretching!

We will take several long walks and I will let him sniff every sniffable thing to his heart’s content. At low tide we will get into the kayak and paddle over to the sandbar where he’s free to dig, run, and chase sea birds.

and a happy birthday run on the sandbar!

For dinner I will sprinkle some burger in his kibble!

Happy Birthday, Chico! And here’s to many more!

About Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is the general manager of Weight Watchers of Maine. She is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. Her experience with her own weight management journey and raising girls has given her insight into the struggles families face with weight, healthy body image, food and physical activity. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news for more than ten years and appears monthly as a guest on FOX network morning program Good Day Maine.

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Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is the general manager of Weight Watchers of Maine. She is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. Her experience with her own weight management journey and raising girls has given her insight into the struggles families face with weight, healthy body image, food and physical activity. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news for more than ten years and appears monthly as a guest on FOX network morning program Good Day Maine.